Bundle inverting means



Jan. 1, 1963 .J. w. sExGH ETAL BUNDLE INVERTING MEANS '7 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 9, 1959 f BY Jan. l, 1963 J. w. sE|GH ETAL BUNDLE INVERTINGMEANS Filed April 9, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 1, 1963 J. w. sElGH ETAL3,071,258

BUNDLE INVERTING MEANS Filed April 9, 1959 7 sheets-sheet s @gi M @M/h@my ATTORNEYS Jan. 1, 1963 J. w. sElGH ETAL BUNDLE INVERTING MEANS 7Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 9, 1959 Mln.

INVENTORS BY /lfwny Jan. 1963 J. w. sExGH ETAL BUNDLE INVERTING MEANS 7sheets-Sheet .5

Filed April 9, 1959 Jan. 1, 1963 J. w. sr-:IGH ETAL BUNDLE INVERTINGMEANS Filed April e, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 s D W m m M en@ 2) OH fw m..d l D /NM .WV b mHwPurWmVI w '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INV EN TORS @Zw/27 lATTORNEYS Jan. 1, 1963 J.-w. sElGH ETAL BUNDLE INVERTING MEANS FiledApril 9, R359 DEW IMHMIMII 3,071,258 BUNDLE lidi-VERTENG MEANS eph W.Seigh, 'ifeanec-h, NJ., and William H. Behrendt, `*ultim-ars, Md.,assignors to Continental Can Comany, inc., New York, a corporation ofNew Eiied Apr. 9, i959, Ser. No. 305,215 l Claims. tCi. 21d- 1) ka im799,290. tor interposed between one stationary roller conveyor extendingfrom the first sheet coating means and a second stationary rollerconveyor extending to the second sheet coating rreans. The rotorincludes a lower roller conveyor and an upper roller conveyor betweenwhich each bundle to be inverted is fed from the aforesaid onestationary roller conveyor, and a vertical wall is embodied in the rotorstructure to limit the movement of the bundle into the rotor. Manuallycontrolled electrically driven means is pro-vided for turning the rotorto a bundle inverting position and the inverted bundle is moved from therotor onto the aforesaid second stationary conveyor. The rotor actuatingmeans is then operated to reversely turn the rotor back to its bundlereceiving position.

Each bundle fed to the rotor is supported by a pallet and afterreception of the bundle in the rotor, it is necessary to substantiallytill the space between the bundie and the upper roller conveyor of theroto-r, by inserting one or more pallets into said space, in order thatthe bundle shall be held against too much loose movement duringinversion.

The above identied machine also includes provision permitting movementof the aforesaid wall of the rotor to out-ofthe-way position, in case no'bundle inversion is required and the lower roller conveyor of the rotoris simply to be used as a bridge between the two stationary rollerconveyors, when only one side of the metal sheets is to be coated. Alocking means is ernployed to lock the rotor when such roll-throughoperation of the machine is required.

While the machine has been advantageous to a large extent, the necessityof substantially filling the space between the bundle and the upperroller conveyor, has required time and has necessitated that a largesupply of pallets be kept on hand at the rotor, when inverting bundleshaving relatively little height, and the bundles have not, in all cases,been held as effectively -as desired. One object of the presentinvention, therefore, has been to provide novel means movable downwardlyonto any bundle in the rotor, regardless of the bundle height, effectiveto tightly clamp the bundle against the lower roller conveyor of therotor during bundle inversion, and then effective to lower the invertedbundle onto the other roller conveyor of the rotor.

Another object has been to provide for moving the bundle clamping meansto operative position by manual closing of a switch and to provide forautomatic bundlelowering movement of said clamping means when bundleinversion has been completed.

in the above identified machine, it was possible to move the aforesaidwall to an out-of-the-way position Patent for roll throng. operation andto neglect locking of the rotor, resulting in lost motion oscillation ofthe rotor during movement of the bundles therethrough, thereby placingjerking strains on the rotor actuating means and causing noisyoperation. A further object of the present invention has therefore beento provide novel means which locks the aforesaid wall against movementfrom its normal position until the rotor has been locked.

In this regard, a still further object has been to prohibit anypossibility of starting the rotor actuating means while the rotor islocked.

Yet another object has been to provide novel means to prohibit releaseof the locked rotor until the aforesaid wall has been restored to itsoperative position.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

in the drawings:

FlGURE l is a side elevation showing the improved machine in bundlereceiving position.

FIGURE 2 is a detail horizontal sectional view on line 2 2 of FIGURE l.

FEGURE 3 is an end elevation as indicated by the arrow 3 of FGURE l.

HGURE 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the plane of lined--d of FIGURE 3, but showing a bundle clamped in the rotor in eadnessfor inversion.

FlGURE 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing thebundle inverted and being lowered.

F'GURE 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the machine conditioned forroll-through operation.

FiGUl'E 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing themechanism which normally locks the vertical wall in operative position,prohibits movement of said wall to an outof-the-way position until therotor has been locked, and prevents release of the rotor until saidwall.

has been restored to its operative position.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary elevation as indicated by the arrow d ofFlGURE 7.

FlGUilES 9, l0 and l1 are further enlarged detail sectional views on thecorrespondingly numbered lines of FlGURE 7.

FIGURE l2 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 but showing the rotor locked andthe verticai wall released for movement to an outofthe-way position asin FIGURE 6.

FlGURE 13 is a diagram showing the operating means for the clamp meansand the various electrical controls.

The construction disclosed in the drawings will be rather specificallydescribed but attention is invited to the possibility of makingvariations within the scope of the invention.

A rigid frame structure is shown upon which to'mount the rotor R. Thisframe structure comprises two side frames F and F rigidly connected bytransverse base members Lt and io and disposed in parallel verticalplanes. Each side frame has a bearing 16 at its upper end, and twoinclined bars 1'7 and i7@ which diverge downwardly from said bearing.Near the .side frame F', there is a support ld upon which a reversibleelectric motor i9 is mounted to drive the rotor R. The motor 19 is ofthree phase type and includes reduction gearing between its armatureshaft and its output shaft 2t?.

The rotor R includes two parallel vertical side disks 2l and 2i?- nearthe side frames F and i3' resuectively and provided with trunnions 22mounted in the bearings i5. The trunnion of the disk 2lia has a sprocket23 connected by a chain 2li with a drive sprocket 25 on the motor shaftZt). The trunnions 2?. are preferably secured in hubs 26 on plates 27which are bolted to the disks 2l and 21a.

Each of the disks 2l and Zia has one lateral stop 25 to limit theturning of the rotor l2. to its bundle inverting position, and anotherlateral stop to limit return of the rotor to its bundlereceivingposition. The stops 28 strike the upper sides of stop plates lbsecured to the inclined bars 17a and the stops 23a strike the uppersides of other stop plates YC secured to the inclined bars 17.Stationarily mounted near the lower edges of 'the disks 2l and El@respectively', there are two limit switches 29 and 24,33 which areinstrumental in eecf' 1g breaking of the motor circuit when the rotor Rhas been turned to either of its positions.

A lower roller conveyor 3d and an upper roller conveyor 39a are bothdisposed between and mounted on the side disks 2l and Zia. When therotor R occupies its bundle receiving position (FIGURFS l and 4) thelower roller conveyor 3u is in position to receive a bundle from theroller conveyor 3l which extends from the first sheet coating and dryingmeans. The bundle is supported as usual on a suitable pallet i. Afterreception of the bundle by the lower conveyor 3b, or immediately priorto such reception, an additional pallet F is placed upon this bundle.The bundle and pallets are then clamped and inverted by the rotor R.When the bundle is inverted (FlGURE 5) the clamped bundle is loweredonto the conveyor Sil which is then in position to deliver the bundle B,then supported by the par- P', onto a roller Conveyor 32 which extendsto the second sheet coating and drying means.

A vertical wail 33 extends between and is secured to the side disks 2land Ela at one end ot the roller conveyors 3) and Ede, to limit themovement of the bundle E onto the conveyor 3i?, as seen in FiGUiE 4.This wall comprises a rigid rectangular frame 3f:- and a plate 35secured thereto.

The upper end of the wall 33 is piveted to the disks 2l and Zia by meansof a rod .Titi and said disks have openings 37 which allow adjustment ofsaid rod and wall toward and from the axis of the rotor R, according tothe size of the bundles to be inverte-d. The lower end of the wall 33 isarovided with bolts engageable with openings 39 in the disks 2l and Elaaccordin I to the position of the wall 33. Crossed hand levers il(FIGURE 3) are provided to retract the bolts 3?, allowing upwardswinging of the wall 33 to the out-of-the-way position of FGURE 6, whenno bundle inversion is required and the lower roller conveyor 3@ is tobe utilized only as a bridge between the stationary conveyors 3i and E52to allow the bundles B to roll through the rotor Handles 4l are providedon the wall 33 to facilitato movement of said wall to and from theposition of FIG 6 and a hook or the like 42 is provided to secure saidwall in said position.

Due to novel locking mechanisms lvl hereinafter described in detail, thewall $3 cannot be moved to the position of FIGURE 6 until the rotor Rhas been locked in a fixed position and the rotor cannot be releaseduntil said wall 33 has been restored to its operative position. Beforedescribing the mechanisms M the means for clamping the bundle B in therotor R will be explained.

Bundle Clamping Means Two transverse clamp bars 43 are normally disposedbetween rollers of the upper conveyor Stia and at their ends extendthrough vertical slots 44 in the rotor side disks 2l and 2li. Thesedisks are provided with machined guides 4S for guiding the clamp bars 43from the normally raised position of FIGURES l and 3 to the loweredbundle-clamping position of FIGURE 4 and vice versa. The upward movementof the clamp bars is in the present instance limited by the uppermost oftwo angle bars 46 by means of which the roller conveyors Sil and 30a aremounted on the disks 2l and Zla.

Cylinder and piston assemblies 47 are provided for pneumaticallyoperating the clamp `bars 43; and the cylinders 48 of said assembliesare secured to the outer sides of the disks 2l and 2l?. The piston rods49 are connected at 5t) to the ends of the clamp bars 43. Branchedpiping 5l is provided to conduct compressed air to or exhaust it fromthe upper ends of the cylinders 4S; and additional branched piping Slais provided to conduct compressed air to or exhaust it from the lowerends ot said cylinders. rl`he piping 5l receives compressed air from aport 52 (FIGURE 2) in the trunnion 22 of the rotor disk 2l; and thepiping Sie receives compressed air from a port 52a in said trunnion.Flexible hoses 53 and S3@ conduct compressed air to the ports 52 and529' from two stationary lines 54 and 54a (FIGURE 13) respectively.These lines fr and 54a are connected with a known type of valve 5S(FIGURE 13) which receives compressed air through a pipe 56. Accordingto the setting of the valve 55, it directs compressed air to one end ofthe cylinders 48 and simultaneously exhausts air from the other end ofsaid cylinders, or vice versa.

Two actuating coils 57 and 572L are provided for the valve 5S. Coil 57,when energized, sets the valve 55 to simultaneously supply compressedair to the upper ends of the cylinders 4d and exhaust air from the lowerends of said cylinders. Coil 57a, when energized, sets the valve 55 tosimultaneously supply compressed air to the lower ends ot the cylinders4S and exhaust air from the upper ends of said cylinders. The setting ofthe valve 55 thus controls the clamping and releasing movements of theclamp bers 43.

When the bars 43 are lowered to the position shown in FIGURE 4, byretraction of the piston rods 49, they clamp the bundle B and theassociated pallets P and P' against movement on the lower rollerconveyor 3l), in readiness for inversion. Thus, when turning of therotor R to bundle inverting position is complete, the clamp bars i3support the pallets and the bundle B above the then lower rollerconveyor 39a. However, such support is only momentary as the piston rodsare automatically reextended to lower the load onto said conveyor 30a,as will be clear from FIGURE 5. The load lowering is eltected by virtueof a third switch 53 associated with the coil 57a of the valve 55(FIGURE 13). The switch 58 is mounted near the limit switch 2W as seenin FlGURES 3, 4 and 5.

A cam 59a on the rotor disk 21a, opens the limit switch 29a when therotor R has almost completed its bundle inverting movement (clockwise inFIGURE 4) and thus breaks the circuit of the motor 19. rlEhe rotor,however, drifts somewhat before the stops 2S strike the stops l7b; 4andduring this drifting, a stud 6@ on the cam 59a closes the switch S3 toso set the valve 55 as to lower the load onto the conveyor 30a, as seenin FIGURE 5.

Another cam 59 is provided on the rotor disk 2l to open the limit switch29 and break the motor circuit when the rotor nears the completion ofits return movement (counter-clockwise) back toward the position ofFIGURE l. The rotor then drifts slowly and linally comes to rest whenthe stops 28a strike the stops 17. The rotor is then again in bundlereceiving position (FIGURE 1) with the clamp bars 43 in their uppermostpositions.

Rotor and Wall Locking Mechanisms Two of the mechanisms M are provided,mounted respectively on the two rotor side disks 2l and 21a as seen inFIGURE 3. These mechanisms are of the same construction and while thisconstruction appears only on a small scale in some views, it is fullyillustrated in -FIGURES 7, 8, 9, l0 and l2.

the position in which the wall 33 is set. The bolt end has a notch 63which normally receives the inner end of the opening 62 through whichthe bolt end extends. Upper and lower guide tracks 64 and 65 are securedto the disk 21 and engage the upper and lower edges of the slide 61 tomount this slide for the required movements. The lower track 65 has alateral lug 66 and the slide 61 has a downwardly projecting finger 67near said lug. Coiled compression springs 68 act against the finger 67and react against the lug to yieldably hold the slide in engagement withthe notch 63 of the boit 3S, as is best seen in FGURES 7 and 9.

A locking plate 69 is pivoted by a rod 70 to lugs 71 ou the upper track611 and extends downwardly in position to abut the outer end of the bolt38. This bolt end normally holds the locking plate 69 in the inclinedposition of FIGURES 8 and l0 but spring means 72 acts on said lockingplate to swing it inwardly toward the disk 21 when permitted to do so.The locking plate 69 has a downwardly projecting finger 73 which isspaced toward the edge of the disk 21 from the finger 67 of the slide61.

The lower track 65 has a downwardly projecting lug 711 between its ends.in the angle between this lug 7d and the outer end portion of the track65, an abutment block 75 is secured to the disk 21, providing adownwardly facing shoulder for a purpose to appear.

A transverse rock shaft 76 is mounted in bearings 7 secured to the sideframe bars 17a and in other bearings 7S secured to one of the transverseframe members 14. The rock shaft 76 has an opstanding arm 79 near eachend thereof for coaction with the abutment block 75 of the mechanism M,when said rock shaft is turned from the normal position of FIGURES 1 and7 to the position of FGURE 12. When in this latter position, the upperend of the arm 79 abuts the lower edge of the abutment block 75 andholds the rotor R against any turning in one direction. At the sametime, the rotor stops 2da abut the fixed stops 17C as shown in FIGURE 6.Any turning of the rotor R in the other direction is thus prohibited.The rotor is thus locked in the position of FIGURE 6 for roll-throughoperation of the machine. To prepare the machine for such operation, thewall 33 must be released and hooked in upwardly swung position.

To accomplish release of the wall 33, the arm 79 has an upstandingfinger Sti which pushes against the iinger 67' of the locking slide 61when said arm 7? is swung from the position of FIGURE 7 to that of FIG-URE 12, thereby shifting said slide 61 to the released position ofFIGURE l2. This permits retraction of the bolts 38 to allow upwardswinging of the wall 33. As the bolts 38 are being withdrawn, the springmeans 72 swings the locking plate 69 inwardly, disposing its finger 73in the outward path of the arm-carried finger 3% as seen in FiGURE 12.The rock shaft 76 cannot therefore be turned back to the FIGURE 7position until the locking plate 69 is released by re-bolting of thewall 33 in operative position. When such rebo-iting is effected, the endof the bolt 3S swings the locking plate 69 outwardly, thereby releasingthe nger Si) and allowing turning of the rock shaft 76 back to theposition of FIGURE 7. When such turning occurs, the slide again locksthe bolt 33 in operative position.

The rock shaft 76 has a hand crank 31 for turning it to either of itspositions; and a spring-pressed pin 82 is provided to hold said shaft ineither of said positions. This pin 82 is mounted on a downwardlyprojecting arm 83 on the rock shaft 76 and is engageable with either oftwo openings @d in a fixed plate 85 forming part of the side frame F.

A switch 86 is secured to the plate S5 and is of selfopeniug type. Thisswitch must be held closed in order that the rotor R may be actuated bythe motor 19, as will be clear when the diagram of FIGURE 13 isexplained. When the shaft 76 is in the FIGURE 7 position, for bundleinverting operation of the machine, the arm 83 6 holds the switch 86closed. However, when the shaft 76 is turned to the rotor lockingposition of FIGURE 12, the arm S3 allows the switch 86 to open.

it will be seen from the above that the two mechanisms M and associatedelements (l) prohibit use of the machine in the roll-through mannerdepicted in FIGURE 6 until the rotor R is locked; (2) prohibit possibleenergizing of the rotor driving motor 19 while said rotor is locked; (3)prohibit release of the rotor for bundle inverting operation until saidrotor has been prepared for such normal operation by re-bolting the wall33 in operative position.

i Electrical System- FIGURE 13 diagrammatically shows the relation ofelements when the rotor R occupies the bundle receiving position ofFIGURE l. The limit switches 2@ and 2W* are shown toward the lowerportion of the view, switch 29 is held open by the cam 59, and switch29a occupies closed position. Switch 58 is shown at the upper rightportion of the View and occupies open position. Switch 86 is shown atthe upper left portion of the View and is held in closed position by thearm 83. These switches and their functions have been mentioned above butother switches are employed and will be described during the course ofthe following explanation.

Three line wires 154, and 156 extend to three terminals 157, 15S and 159of a motor switch 1611. 'fhis switch is diagrammatically shown asincluding xed contacts 161, 162 and 163 electrically connectedrespectively with the terminals 157 to 159, and as also includingmovable contacts 164, 165 and 166 for coaction with said ixed contacts161 to 163, respectively. The contacts 164 to 166 are mounted on amovable carrier 167 and are connected by conductors 168, 169 and 170with the load terminals 171, 172 and 173. From these terminals, wires174, 175 and 176 extend to the motor 19.

An additional contact 177 is mounted on the carrier 167 for coactionwith a fixed contact 176 which is connected with a terminal 179. Aconductor 181B extends from the movable contact 177 to a terminal 181.

The switch 16d is of self-opening type and includes a coil 132 forclosing it when energized to operate the motor 19 and cause turning ofthe rotor R in bundle inverting direction. One wire 133 extends from theterminal 181 to one terminal of the limit switch 29a and another wire18dextends from the other terminal of this switch 29EL to the coil 182.

A second motor switch 185' is provided to cause driving of the motor 19in a direction to return the rotor R to bundle receiving position. T heswitch 135 includes terminals 186, 137 and 16d to which fixed contacts1119, 19d and 11 are connected, respectively. ri'he terminal 136 isconnected by a conductor 192 to the terminai 157 of the switch 1611; theterminal 187 is connected by a conductor 193 to the yterminal 156 ofsaid switch 160; and the terminal 188 is connected by a conductor 194with the terminal 159 of said switch 161B. Contacts 195, 196 and 197 arecooperable with the contacts 189, 19@ and 191, respectively, and aremounted on a movable carrier 198. Conductors 199, 2d@ and 2111 connectthe contacts 195, 196 and 197 with load terminals 262, 203 and 2641,respectively. One conductor 2625 connects: the terminal 2112 with theterminal 173 of the switch 16d; another conductor 266 connects theterminal 2113 to the terminal 172 of said switch 166, and a thirdconductor 207 connects the terminal 2114 to the terminal 171 of saidswitch 16d.

An additional contact 2113 is mounted on the carrier 19S for coactionwith a fixed contact 2119 which is connected with a terminal 210. Aconductor 211 connects the terminal 2119 to the terminal 179 of theswitch 160, and a conductor 212 connects the contact 20d to a terminal213.

The switch 185 is of self-opening type and includes a coil 214 forclosing it when energized. A conductor 215 7 extends to the coil 2id:from one terminal of the limit switch 29, and another conductor 2idextends to the other terminal of said switch 29 from the terminal 23. Areturn conductor 2l7 is connected with both of the coils ld?. and 2idand extends to the terminal 1537 of the switch LSS.

At the upper left of FTGURE 13, three switches 2tlg, 2l@ and 27u areshown. The switch 2li? is a self-opening manually-closed control switchand is closed to cause motor operation for turning the rotor R in bundleinverting direction. rl`he switch 219 is a selhopening manuallyclosedcontrol switch and is closed to cause motor operation for returning therotor R to bundle receiving position after bundle inversion. The switch22d is a normally closed cut-off or safety switch which may be manually`opened should the necessity arise. All of the switches 2id, 2l@ and areof push button type and mounted ou a suitable control panel.

A conductor 223i extends from the terminal 357 of the motor switch llhto the switch 76, and another conductor 222 extends from this switch Seto the safety switch 22h. A conductor 223 extends from this switch 22uto one terminal of the control switch 2M, and anotaer conductor connectsthe other terminal 22d of said switch 219 with the terminal 2?..9 of themotor switch ldd. A conductor 227 extends from the terminal 224 ofcontrol switch 2l9 to one terminal 22d of the control switch 21S. Fromthe other terminal 22S of this switch 21S, a condoctor 23@ extends to aself-opening, pressure-closed switch 231 shown at the lower right ofFlGURE 13. This switch 231 is connected with the line 54 which suppliescompressed air to the cylinder lli to lower the clamp bars 43. Anotherconductor 232 extends from the switch 231 to the terminal TS1 of themotor switch lt the air pressure in the line 5d should be below normal,switch 231 will remain open and the switch EES cannot there fore performthe function of starting the motor 19. Turning of the rotor R to inverta bundle is thus prohibited unless the air pressure be suicient toeffectively clamp the bundle.

A conductor 233 connects the terminal 223 of the switch 21S with theterminal i7@ of the motor switch 16d.

At the upper right of FlGURE 13, two control switches 234; and 235 areshown for the compressed air valve Both of these switches are ofself-opening, manually closed, push button type. Both of these switchesand the cam-closed switch 52B are used to control the compressed airvalve 55 and therefore the three switches have been grouped.

A conductor 236 extends from the terminal ,ld of the motor switch ldd toone terminal 257 of the switch 5S and another conductor 23S extends fromthe other terminal 239 of said switch 58 to the valve actuating coil57a. Another conductor 2li@ extends from the coil 57SL to the terminal287 of the motor switch l.

A conductor 24d connects the terminal 237 of the switch S3 with oneterminal 242 of the switch and a conductor 24.13 extends from the otherterminal of said switch 234 to the valve actuating coil 57. From thiscoil, another conductor 24d extends to the conductor A conductor M5extends from the terminal of the switch 234 to one terminal of theswitch 235 and another conductor 2li-6 extends from the other terminalof said switch 235 `to the terminal 23h of the switch 5S.

Normal Operation When the machine is to be used for bundle inversion,the rotor R iirst occupies the position shown in FlGURE 1, with its wall33 bolted in operative position. At this time (see FGURE 13) most of theswitches occupy open positions but the switches 29, 36 and 22u are inclosed position. clamp bars i3 occupy rais-ed position as shown in l and3 and diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURE 13.

A bundle B, supported by a pallet P, is rolled from the conveyor 3l ontothe lower conveyor 3h of the rotor R (see FIGURE l); and either afterthe bundle is received on said conveyor 30 or just prior to suchreception, a second pallet P is placed upon said bundle. The switch 234yis now momentarily closed. This completes a circuit through theactuating coil 57 of the valve 55' and sets this valve to directcompressed air into the upper ends of the cylinders i3 and open thelower ends of said cylinders to exhaust, thereby causing descent of theclamp bars 43 to clamp the bundle and pallets as seen in FlGURE 4.Should one of the pallets be crushed or otherwise injured by descent ofthe clamp bars 43, momentary closing of the switch 23S will energize theother actuating coil 57a of the valve 55, thereby setting this valve todirect compressed air to the lower ends of the cylinders 43 and open theupper ends of said cylinders to exhaust, thereby again raising the clampbars 43. When the bundle and pallets are properly clamped, thecompressed air in the line 54 holds the switch 231 closed and it isnecessary that this switch be held closed in order that the motor 3 9may be actuated. Should the air pressure be below normal and the bundletherefore inadequately clamped, the switch 233i will not be closed andit will not therefore be possible to actuate the motor 19 until properair pressure has been restored.

When the bundle is properly clamped as in FIGURE 4, the control switch228 is momentarily closed. This establishes a circuit through theactuating coil 1182 of the motor switch 16u and said coil i3?. thuscloses said switch ld@ and the motor i9 starts to drive the rotor R inbundleinverting direction (clockwise in FIGURE 4). When the switch 16hcloses the contacts 177 and l maintain a circuit through the coil 182and the limit switch 29a, thereby holding said switch ldd closed untilsaid limit switch 29a is opened by the cam 59a on the rotor R. The motor19 thus drives the rotor to invert the bundle B as shown in FIGURE 5,the inverted bundle being then supported by the clamp bars d3. After thelimit switch 29a opens, the rotor R drifts somewhat and during thisdrifting, the stud 6h on the cam 59 closes the switch 58. This energizesthe actuating coil S7a of the valve 55 and sets said valve to exhaustthe compressed air under the then inverted pistons .8 and admitcompressed air over said pistons, thereby lowering the clamp bars 43 asindicated in FIGURE 5 and placing the pallet-supported bundle on therotor conveyor Sila to be rolled out of the rotor onto the conveyor 32.

Turning of the rotor R in bundle inverting direction of course moves thecam 59 from the limit switch 29 and allows this switch to close inreadiness for coaction with the motor switch T85. This switch lgs whenclosed, causes reverse rotation of the motor l@ to return the rotor tobundle receiving position.

Closing of the switch 135 is effected by momentarily closing the controlswitch 219. This completes a circuit through the actuating coil 214 ofthe switch E and said coil thus closes said switch. As soon as thisswitch closes, the contacts 208 and 209 maintain a circuit through thecoil 214 and the limit switch 29; The motor thus continues to operateuntil the rotor cam 59 again opens the limit switch 29, whereupon theswitch 1&5 again opens and the rotor R comes to rest, again iu bundlereceiving position.

Roll-Through Operation When the roll-through operation, depicted inFIGURE 6, is required, the hand crank 8l is swung to the position ofFIGURE 12. This accomplishes three things. First, the arm 83 allows theswitch Se to open, thereby preventing possible operation of the motori9. Second, the arms 79 cause the ngers Sil to release the slides 61 ofthe two mechanisms M from the bolts 38 of the wall 33, allowing thiswall to be unbolted and hooked up as in FTGURE 6. Third, the arms 79abut the blocks 65 of the mechanisms M and hold the rotor R against anyidle movement in one 9 direction. At this time, idle movement of therotor in the other direction, is prevented by the abutting stops ll"cand 28a.

Release of the bolts 38, causes inward swinging of the locking plates 69of the mechanisms M; and the fingers 73 of said plates then abut theiingers Sti of the arms 79, thus locking these arms in engagement withthe blocks 65 as seen in FIGURE l2, and also locking the rock shaft 76in the position in which the arm 83 allows the switch 86 to remain open.

It will be seen from the above that the machine cannot be used as inFIGURE 6, until the rotor R is locked and the switch 86 is opened.

When the wall 33 is again bolted in operative position (see FIGURES 7and 8) the bolts 38 again outwardly swing the locking plates 69 toreleased positions, thereby freeing the lingers 80 and arms 79. Then,the hand crank 81 may be restored to the position of FIGURE 7. Duringthis movement the springs 68 again engage the slide 6l with the bolts33, and the arm 83 again closes the switch 86. The machine is then againin condition for normal bundle inverting operation.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageousprovision has been disclosed for attaining the desired ends. Attention,however, is again invited to the possibility of making variations.

We claim:

l. In a bundle inverting means, a rotor including a lixed lower rollerconveyor to support a bundle to be inverted, and a iixed upper rollerconveyor to overlie the supported bundle in upwardly spaced relationtherewith; means mounting said rotor on a horizontal axis, said upperand lower roller conveyors being in parallel relation and spacedequidistant from said horizontal axis, means for turning said rotor froma bundlereceiving position to a bundle inverting position and viceversa, normally raised bundle clamping means mounted on said rotoradjacent to and independent of said upper roller conveyor7 and operatingmeans for said bundle clamping means, said operating means includingmeans for lowering said clamping means to clamp the bundle against saidlower roller conveyor before said rotor is turned from said bundlereceiving position, whereby said clamp means will support the invertedbundle when said rotor is turned to said bundle inverting position, saidoperating means also including means for causing lowering of the bundlesupporting clamp means to lower the inverted bundle onto the rollerconveyor then underlying the inverted bundle.

2. A structure as specified in claim 1, in which said bundle clampingmeans includes spaced bundle engaging bars unidirectional with anddisposed normally recessed between rollers of said upper rollerconveyor'. 3. A structure as specified in claim l, in which said bundleclamping means includes spaced bundle engaging bars unidirectional withand disposed normally recessed between rollers of said upper rollerconveyor; and in which said operating means includes cylinder and pistonassemblies connected with the ends of said bars and mounted on saidrotor.

4. In a bundle inverting means, a rotor including two parallel sidedisks, a fixed lower roller conveyor mounted between said side disks tosupport a bundle to be inverted, and a ixed upper roller conveyormounted between said side disks to overlie the supported bundle inupwardly spaced relation therewith, the rollers of said conveyors beingparallel with the rotor axis, each of said side disks having twovertical slots between certain rollers of said upper conveyor; twonormally raised bundle clamping bars recessed between said certainrollers and having their ends extended through said slots, cylinder andpiston assemblies mounted on the outer sides of said disks and havingpiston rods connected to said ends of said clamping bars; means mountingsaid rotor on a horizontal axis, said upper and lower roller conveyorsbeing in parallel relation and spaced equidistant from said horizontalaxis, means for turning said rotor from a bundle receiving position to abundle inverting position and vice versa; and fluid pressure admittingand exhaust means for the cylinder of said assemblies, said fluidpressure admitting and exhaust means including valve means operable toso contro-l the admission and exhaust of the Huid as to cause loweringof said clamping bars to clamp the bundle against said lower rollerconveyor before said rotor is turned from said bundle receivingposition, said valve means being also operable to so control theadmission and exhaust of the liuid as to lower said clamping bars whensaid rotor has been turned to said bundle inverting position, therebylowering the inverted bundle onto the roller conveyor then underlyingsaid inverted bundle.

5. A structure as specified in claim 4, in which Said valve means ismanually controlled to move said clamping bars to bundle clampingposition, and in which said valve means is automatically actuated tocause lowering oi the bundle after inversion.

6. A structure as specified in claim 4, in which electrical operatingmeans is provided for said valve means, said electrical operating meansincluding a manually closed switch to so set said valve means as tocause bundle clamping movement of said clamping bars, said electricalmeans also including an automatically actuated switch to so set saidvalve means as to cause movement of said clamping bars to lower theinverted bundle onto the conveyor then underlying said inverted bundle.

7. In a bundle inverting means, a rotor including a fixed lower rollerconveyor to support a bundle to be inverted, and a ixed upper rollerconveyor to overlie the supported bundle in upwardly spaced relationtherewith; means mounting said rotor on a horizontal axis, said upperand lower roller conveyors being in parallel relation and spacedequidistant from said horizontal axis, means for turning said rotor froma bundle receiving position to a bundle inverting position and viceversa, normally raised bundle clamping means mounted on said rotoradjacent to and independent of said upper roller conveyor, and operatingmeans for said bundle clamping means, said operating means includingmanually controlled means for lowering said clamping means to clamp thebundle against said lower roller conveyor before said rotor is turnedfrom said bundle receiving position, whereby said clamp means willsupport the inverted bundle when said rotor is turned to said bundleinverting position, said operating means also including automaticallycontrolled means for causing lowering of the bundle supporting clampmeans to lower the inverted bundle onto the roller conveyor thenunderlying the inverted bundle..

8. A structure as specilied in claim l, in which said operating meansincludes a manually closed switch to cause lowering oi said clamp meansto bundle clamping position, and in which said operating means includesan automatically actuated switch to cause movement of said clamp meansto lower the inverted bundle onto the conveyor underlying said invertedbundle.

9. ln a machine in which an electrically actuated rotor is mounted on ahorizontal axis to receive a bundle from one conveyor, invert thereceived bundle and position it for movement onto a second conveyor,said rotor being usable also as a bridge for conducting a bundle fromsaid one conveyor to said second conveyor without inverting the bundle,and in which the electrical actuating means for said rotor includes anormally closed switch for prohibiting electrical rotor operation whensaid switch is opened; normally released manually applied locking meansfor locking said rotor when the latter is to be used as a bridge, andmeans operatively associated with said locking means and switch forassuring opening of the latter when said locking means is moved tooperative position.

li). A structure as specified in claim 9, in which said manually appliedlocking means includes a rotor engaging member, a rock shaft carryingsaid member, and a ses/Lass l handle for turning said rock shaft; saidrock shaft having an arm which normally holds said switch closed butallows said switch to open when said rock shaft is turned to engage theaforesaid rotor engaging member with the rotor.

11. ln a machine in whicn a rotor is mounted on a horizontal axis toreceive a bundle from one conveyor, invert the bundle and position itfor movement onto a second Conveyor, said rotor having a movably mountedwall to limit the movement of the bundle into the rotor, said rotorbeing usable as a bridge for conducting a bundie from one conveyor' tosaid second conveyor when said wall is held in an inoperative position;wall locking means for normally locking said wall in operative position,manually applied rotor locking means for locking said rotor when thelatter is to be used a bridge, and means operatively associated withsaid wall locking means and said rotor locking means for releasing theformer when the latter is applied.

12. in a machine in which a rotor is mounted on a horizontal axis toreceive a bundle from one conveyor, invert the bundle and position itfor movement onto a second conveyor, said rotor having a movably mountedwall to limit the movement of the bundle into the rotor, said rotorbeing usable as a bridge for conducting a bundle from said one conveyorto said second conveyor when said wall is held in an inoperativeposition; a manually retractable bolt on said wall and normally engagingsaid rotor to hold said wall in operative position, bolt locking meansmounted on said rotor and normally engaging said bolt to hold the latteragainst retraction, and a rotor locking member manually engageable withsaid rotor to loci; the latter when it is to be used as a bridge, saidrotor locking member having a portion which releases said bolt lockingmeans when said member is moved into engagement with said rotor.

i3. A structure as specified in claim l2; together with self-appliedmeans for locking said rotor locking member in operative position, saidself-applied locking means being normally held in released position bysaid bolt and upon retraction of said bolt being movable to operativeposition.

14. in a machine in which a rotor is mounted on a horizontal axis toreceive a bundle from one conveyor, invert the bundle and position itfor movement onto a second conveyor, said rotor having a movably mountedwall to limit the movement of the bundle into the rotor, said rotorbeing usable as a bridge for conducting a bundle `from said one conveyorto said second conveyor when said Wall is held in an inoperativeposition; a manually retractable horizontal bolt on said wall andnormally engaging said rotor to hold said wall in operative position,said rotor having a side dislr through which the outer end oi said boltextends, a slide mounted for horizontal l2 movement on the outer side ofsaid disk, said slide and said outer end of said bolt having coactingportions whereby said slide locks said bolt against retraction untilsaid slide is moved inwardly away from the peripheral edge of said disk,spring means biasing said slide to bolt locking position, an abutmentsecured to the outer side ot said disk near said edge thereof.,stationary bearing means spaced downwardly from said abutment, a rockshaft mounted in said bearing means with its axis para'llel to the axisof the rotor, and an upwardly extending arm on said roel; shaft, saidarm being swingable inwardly into engagement with vsaid abutment whensaid rock turned in one directionjsaid arm having an upy finger tostrike a portion of said slide and move the latter to bolt releasingposition when said arm swung into engagement with said abutment.

15. A structure as specied in claim 14, in which said outer end of saidbolt normally projects beyond the outer side of said slide, a lockingplate disposed at said outer side of said rlide, said plate beingpivotally mounted at its upper edge on said disk and being normally heldin an outward position by said projecting endl of said bolt, saidlocking plate having a portion at its lower edge to engage and lock saidupwardly projecting iingerof said arm when the latter is swung inwardlyinto etlg'dltl-V ment with said abutment, and means urging said lockingplate inwardly toward said slide to cause said locking plate to locksaid arm in engagement with said abutment when said locking plate isreleased by retraction of the aforesaid bolt.

1,6. A structure as speciiied in claim 14, in which electrical actuatingmeans are provided for said rotor, said electrical actuating meansincluding a stationarily mounted switch which must remain closed inorder that said actuating means may function, said rock shaft having anadditional arm associated with said switch, said additional arm being socooperable with4 said switch as to assure that said switch shall remainnormally closed but shall open when said rock. shaft is turned in theaforesaid direction.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNUSED STATES PATENTS

1. IN A BUNDLE INVERTING MEANS, A ROTOR INCLUDING A FIXED LOWER ROLLERCONVEYOR TO SUPPORT A BUNDLE TO BE INVERTED, AND A FIXED UPPER ROLLERCONVEYOR TO OVERLIE THE SUPPORTED BUNDLE IN UPWARDLY SPACED RELATIONTHEREWITH; MEANS MOUNTING SAID ROTOR ON A HORIZONTAL AXIS, SAID UPPERAND LOWER ROLLER CONVEYORS BEING IN PARALLEL RELATION AND SPACEDEQUIDISTANT FROM SAID HORIZONTAL AXIS, MEANS FOR TURNING SAID ROTOR FROMA BUNDLE RECEIVING POSITION TO A BUNDLE INVERTING POSITION AND VICEVERSA, NORMALLY RAISED BUNDLE CLAMPING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID ROTORADJACENT TO AND INDEPENDENT OF SAID UPPER ROLLER CONVEYOR, AND OPERATINGMEANS FOR SAID BUNDLE CLAMPING MEANS, SAID OPERATING MEANS INCLUDINGMEANS FOR LOWERING SAID CLAMPING MEANS TO CLAMP THE BUNDLE AGAINST SAIDLOWER ROLLER CONVEYOR BEFORE SAID ROTOR IS TURNED FROM SAID BUNDLERECEIVING POSITION, WHEREBY SAID CLAMP MEANS WILL SUPPORT THE INVERTEDBUNDLE WHEN SAID ROTOR IS TURNED TO SAID BUNDLE INVERTING POSITION SAIDOPERATING MEANS ALSO INCLUDING MEANS FOR CAUSING LOWERING OF THE BUNDLESUPPORTING CLAMP MEANS TO LOWER THE INVERTED BUNDLE ONTO THE ROLLERCONVEYOR THEN UNDERLYING THE INVERTED BUNDLE.